WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice on Thursday asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to dismiss three lawsuits over an Trump-era immigration policy that led some areas to declare themselves “sanctuary cities.”
The policy was part of an effort to let police departments know that federal authorities know when non-citizens would be released from detention.
In what half-heartedly began under former President Barack Obama and was brought under former President Donald Trump, the Department of Justice wanted to withhold federal grants from local governments that refused to tell immigration agents when people were on the verge of detention to be released. The government also wanted access to local prisons so that immigration agents could interview non-citizens in detention.
The justice department said in short letters to the high court that the cases should be dismissed, indicating that the government will no longer try to implement the policy.
The Trump administration has been in conflict with many major cities over federal detention requests issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and has asked police and sheriff’s offices to jail for up to 48 hours after completing their sentences. The requests were illegally applicable to people in the US who were convicted of committing local crimes and who could be deported after release.
After federal courts blocked the attempt, the Department of Justice tried to give notice before releasing non-citizens, prompting a new round of lawsuits.
Several lower federal courts have said that local officials have no duty to assist immigration agents in enforcing federal law, and that some states and cities have passed so-called sanctuary laws that explicitly prohibit police from disclosing information about non-citizens in their to provide conservation. Supporters said the laws make communities safer by encouraging undocumented victims of crime to cooperate with the police.
